The Hebrew word môhar, represented by H4119, refers to a price (for a wife); dowry. It is a specific term that appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. The word originates from מָהַר and signifies the payment or compensation given to a father in exchange for his daughter's hand in marriage.
In its biblical usage, H4119 is central to marriage negotiations and legal statutes. When Shechem desires to marry Dinah, he offers to meet any price, saying, "Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me" Genesis 34:12. The term also appears in a legal context in the Mosaic Law, which stipulates that if a man seduces an unbetrothed virgin, he must "pay money according to the dowry of virgins" if her father refuses to let him marry her Exodus 22:17. In a different context, King Saul subverts the expectation of a monetary payment by telling David he does not desire a dowry, but rather the foreskins of one hundred Philistines 1 Samuel 18:25.
Several related words help clarify the transactional nature of the môhar:
- H7235 râbâh (to increase): This root is used in Shechem's plea to "Ask me never so much dowry," highlighting that the value of the môhar could be made great or abundant depending on the negotiation Genesis 34:12.
- H4976 mattân (a present; gift): This word appears directly alongside môhar in Genesis 34:12, suggesting that additional gifts could supplement the formal marriage price.
- H8254 shâqal (to pay, weigh): This verb describes the action of settling the dowry obligation. It is used in Exodus 22:17 where the man "shall pay money" according to the standard dowry, linking the môhar directly to a weighed or measured payment.
- H3701 keçeph (silver, money): This noun specifies the form of payment for the môhar. In the law, the dowry is equated with a payment of money Exodus 22:17, confirming its function as a financial transaction.
The cultural significance of H4119 is seen in its function within legal and social frameworks:
- Marriage Price: The môhar establishes a formal, transactional basis for a marriage agreement. It represents a price paid to the bride's father, as shown by Shechem's willingness to give (H5414) a dowry and gift for a wife Genesis 34:12.
- Legal Standard: It serves as a benchmark for legal restitution. In Exodus 22:17, the "dowry of virgins" is the required fine, demonstrating that the môhar was a recognized and standardized value within the law.
- A Negotiable Price: The value of the môhar was not always fixed. It could be increased Genesis 34:12 or even substituted with a non-monetary price, as when Saul requested a payment in the form of slain enemies instead of a traditional dowry 1 Samuel 18:25.
In summary, H4119 is a precise term defining the price paid for a bride. While infrequent in scripture, its occurrences reveal its importance in the social, legal, and transactional dimensions of marriage in the Old Testament. It functioned as a negotiated payment, a legal standard for compensation, and a custom that could be adapted for purposes beyond a simple financial exchange.
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